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Students throughout New York State showed more proficiency on Common Core tests, with scores for students in grades three through eight rising more than 1 percent in both English Language Arts and math in 2017 from 2016.

The State Education Department released the results of this year’s tests, with proficiency rising in the ELA from 37.9 percent to 39.8 percent (an increase of 1.9 percent) and the statewide combined math proficiency score rising from 39.1 percent to 40.2 percent (1.1).

The state said it did not make significant changes to the ELA or math assessments administered this year, so the results can be compared to the 2016 results after years of upheaval.

“We’ve taken a deliberate, inclusive and transparent approach to develop the State’s draft ESSA plan as well as changes to our standards and assessments. We’re confident that this careful approach will continue to yield benefits for our students.”

In the Hudson Valley, students in Yonkers were highlighted by the state, where proficiency rates jumped 3.6 percent in the ELA and 3.7 percent in the math assessment. More students also took the tests in 2017, with just 19 percent opting out of testing, down 2 percent from a year ago.

Overall, proficiency rates in English and math in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess were comparable to 2016.

“I’m encouraged by the modest improvements we’re seeing in our test scores,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa stated. “As I’ve always said, testing is just one piece of the puzzle to understand how students are performing.

“And that’s why our draft ESSA plan takes a more holistic approach to accountability – an approach that looks at multiple measures of school and student success. This allows us to continually evolve and adapt so we can ensure that our systems are culturally responsive and place an emphasis on educating the whole child.”